Apparatus with wireless communication module

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic apparatus ( 100 ) comprising a charging module ( 20 ) for receiving external energy (RF 1 ) and for transferring it to a rechargeable energy storage ( 10 ) in a “charging state”. Moreover, the apparatus comprises a processing module which can be operated in a working state that is enabled if the charging module ( 20 ) is in the charging state and the apparatus is in a standard operating mode. The processing module may for example be a communication module ( 30 ) that can communicate wirelessly in its working state. In the standard operating mode, communication with the apparatus ( 100 ) is thus only possible if the apparatus ( 100 ) is simultaneously charged. The communication module ( 30 ) can therefore be completely switched off during the residual time, thus reducing power consumption and avoiding erroneous communication or misuse.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic apparatus that is operable in a standard operating mode (SOM), particularly a rechargeable active implantable medical device, the apparatus comprising:
 a rechargeable energy storage; 
 a charging module configured to enter a charging state (CS) in which the charging module receives external energy (RF 1 ) and is configured to transfer the external energy to the energy storage; and 
 a processing module configured to process data, or deliver electric stimuli, or both, the processing module operable in a working state (WS) which is, while the apparatus is in the standard operating mode, only enabled if the charging state is entered. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing module comprises a communication module that is adapted to communicate wirelessly in its working state (WS). 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the charging module, or the processing module, or both comprises an antenna and a receiver adapted to be selectively decoupled from each other in times of inactivity. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the charging module enters the charging state (CS) when external energy is available. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the charging module is adapted to enter the charging state, or to leave the charging state (CS), or both, in dependence on a handshaking procedure with an external charging device. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the charging module is adapted to detect a working-state-enable (WE) code and that the working state (WS) is active during the standard operating mode (SOM) only if such a code has been detected. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein in that the working-state-enable (WE) code is individual for the charging module, or for a particular session, or both. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to enter an autonomous operation mode (AOM) in which the working state (WS) is continuously or intermittently active independent of the charging state (CS). 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the charging module is adapted to detect a mode-switching code (MS) and to switch the apparatus ( 100 ) from the standard operating mode (SOM) into another operating mode (AOM) or vice versa upon detection of the mode switching code (MS). 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to interrupt the standard operating mode (SOM) at predetermined times by a time window operating mode (TOM) in which the working state (WS) is active. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing module consumes more power during the working state (WS) than during a residual time. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing module is adapted for generating electrical stimuli on, or for sensing sensor signals, or both, from external electrodes. 
     
     
       13. An electronic system, comprising:
 the electronic apparatus according to  claim 2 , comprising an energy storage, a charging module, and a communication module; 
 a charging device for energy transfer to the charging module; 
 a communication device for a wireless communication with the communication module.